@ Gregory H020, thank you for the link. I have just checked your blog and found it really useful. Anything that could provide mouse and keyboard users the ease of use will be welcomed by the users. Although I am already using Windows 8.1 on my laptop and I have no real problem using it. But I can understand that users with non-touch display must be having problems.

@ PaulS681, I share your suspicion. After reading this news, the first thing that came to my mind was the same that may be Microsoft did intentionally leak the update to check the limited response about their much waited update that could prove to be critical for their overall Windows user base. If it is so, it was not at all a bad ploy I must say.

If it just limits OEMs to Bing, that's fair. If the customer doesn't have a choice, it's not going to fly. Microsoft has thoroughly missed the opportunity to leverage Windows lock-in to get folks to use their other stuff. Their other stuff has to attract customers on its own merit.

I don't think it would be unheard of. I mean, at least 50% of Windows leaks originate through the same handful of channels, so I think if Microsoft were truly interested in keeping things quiet, they'd find a way. If Microsoft is semi-tolerating some pre-release leaks, it's not a big leap to semi-enabling others. But I'm just guessing-- haven't heard anything about a deliberate viral campaign based on leaks, or anything like that. And for what it's worth, the initial reaction among those who've downloaded the update seems to be at least somewhat mixed. Some of our readers are expressing satisfaction, but a number of people on Twitter last night seemed to find it inconsistent and bewildering. We'll see!

I was one of the lucky few that got the update files yesterday. I have to say the experience is much nicer for keyboard and mouse users. Right click functions are back and the start menu can finally be navigated much easier without the keyboard inputs to search for stuff.

If you would like to experience the update sooner I have provided a blog writeup on my experience and the Update instructions with download links for 64 bit versions.

As InformationWeek Government readers were busy firming up their fiscal year 2015 budgets, we asked them to rate more than 30 IT initiatives in terms of importance and current leadership focus. No surprise, among more than 30 options, security is No. 1. After that, things get less predictable.